Focus On The Trails

Both trail users and non-trail users will be asked to take an online survey about the Fort Wayne Regional Trail Network beginning Monday, April 10. The efforts are part of the 2017 Indiana Trails Study, conducted by the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University.

The goal of the study is to collect data on trail use, health factors related to trail use, and the economic impact of trails throughout the State of Indiana.

In order to not interrupt those on a tight time-schedule, volunteers will hand residents a card and ask them to go online to complete the survey.

Next week’s effort will see volunteers at the Foster Park Trailhead, the rest node along Spy Run Avenue, and in front of the Auer Center. Three additional weeks of surveying are scheduled for June 5, August 7 and October 2.

The Eppley Institute will collect and analyze statistically valid data that will assist in statewide efforts for future trail operations and development.

Nine trails throughout the State of Indiana were chosen for the study, including:

– Rivergreenway in Fort Wayne

– Erie-Lackawanna Trail in NW Indiana

– Pumpkinvine Nature Trail in Elkhart and LaGrange counties

– Monon Trail in Indianapolis and Carmel

– The Cardinal Greenway from Marion to Muncie to Richmond

– Nickel Plate Trail in Kokomo, Rochester and Peru

– Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage in Evansville

– The People Trail in Columbus

– The B-line Trail in Bloomington

This study follows up the nationally-acclaimed 2001 Indiana Trails Study, which provided valuable data to trail managers, trail advocates and the State. Fort Wayne’s Rivergreenway was one of six trails studied in that initial study.

Funding for the study is provided by Indiana University, the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, the Greenways Foundation of Indiana, and the George and Frances Ball Foundation. Study results will be released by the spring of 2018.